Displacing Coal With Generation From Existing Natural Gas Fired Power Plants

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants can cut greenhouse gas emissions. One option is to replace some coal power with natural gas (NG) generation, a low carbon source of electricity, by increasing the power output from underutilized NG plants. This report provides an overview of the issues. Contents: (1) Intro.; (2) Background on Gas-Fired Generation and Capacity: Trends; Factors Supporting the Boom in Gas-Fired Plant Construction; Carbon Dioxide Emissions; (3) Coal Displacement Feasibility Issues; Estimates of Displaceable Coal-Fired Generation and Emissions; Transmission System Factors; Long-Distance Transmission Capacity; Transmission System Congestion; NG Supply and Price; NG Transport. and Storage.